Being a crafter, I usually make my crafts with vinyl. Most of the time, I use iron-on vinyl to make shirts. They can be t-shirts, baby bodysuits, and tanks. Choosing the best Cricut is a little tricky, with prices ranging from $130 to $400. You must make a smart decision. I have used all Cricut machines and written about whether they can be your best choice. Let’s look at the 5 best Cricut machines for shirts. Also, I will show you how to use each model of Cricut machine to make shirts from the cheapest to the most expensive models.
1. Cricut Joy
The Cricut joy is a small and budget-friendly Cricut machine. It launched in March 2020 and is currently $179.99. The machine is so compact that it can fit in a drawer and hold a weight of just 4 pounds. It can also cut 50+ materials such as iron-on and infusible ink. Plus, it is compatible with the Joy infusible ink pens and markers.
Its small size and portability make it extremely convenient. But, on the other hand, the small size may limit your design size. If you want to make kid shirts, baby bodysuits, or maybe the adult shirt size, you can do it with the Cricut Joy. Plus, it can be a great machine for cutting a bunch of designs at once. You don’t need to use a mat while cutting Smart Material iron-on.
2. Cricut Explore Air 2
It is one of the older models of Cricut Explore and is available on the Cricut website. It came in 2016 and is currently on a nonsale price of $249.99. It is 22 inches long, 7 inches deep, and 6 inches tall; its weight is just 11 pounds. The Explore Air 2 can cut over 100 materials, such as iron-on and infusible ink. Plus, it is compatible with regular infusible ink pens/markers.
The good thing about Cricut Explore Air 2 is that it’s an older machine and is available at lower than the base price. The Explore Air 2 cut design is up to 11.5 inches using a 12 X 12 inches mat. However, the machine doesn’t need a mat and cannot handle Smart materials. Hence, if you need to cut designs in bulk, you have a maximum size of 12X24 inches.
3. Cricut Explore 3
The Explore 3 is one of the newest machines in the Cricut Explore series. This machine has the good features of Cricut Joy and Cricut Explore Air 2. Though it sounds great, it comes with a hefty price. It arrived in 2021, and its current nonscale price is $299.99. The size and weight also match with the Explore Air 2.
In addition, it can cut over 100+ materials, including iron-on and infusible ink, and is compatible with regular infusible ink pens/markers. Hence, Explore Air 2 and Explore 3 have similar features. There is also a huge difference in the capability between cut lengths with these machines. The Explore 3 comes with smart materials.
Consider Cricut Explore 3 if cutting without a mat is important for you and if you want to buy smart materials.
4. Cricut Maker
This machine is the king of the Cricut machine lineup. The Cricut Maker can cut various stuff and is very demanding among users. It is the predecessor of the Cricut Maker 3. The machine arrived in 2017, and its nonsale price is $399.99. It has a dimension of 21X7X6, which is almost like the Cricut Explore, but a bit heavier. It can cut over 300 materials, including iron-on and infusible ink. Plus, it is compatible with regular infusible ink pens and markers.
The Cricut Maker is a unique tool that can do a lot of craft projects. The tools include a perforation blade, engraving tip, Debossing tips, and many more. But it’s not recommended for making shirts. However you can try shirt making with the Maker, but if you are especially buying it for making shirts, it’s not worth it.
5. Cricut Maker 3
It is the latest Maker machine launched at the same time as the Cricut Explore 3. It arrived in 2021 and cut the same size as Cricut Maker. It has more enhanced features than the Explore 3. Plus, it can cut over 300 materials, including iron-on and infusible ink. It is also compatible with regular infusible ink pens/markers.
Maker 3 can cut faster than the original Maker. So, if you plan to cut without a mat and use smart material, then the Maker 3 is the better option.
Conclusion
The Explore Air 2 is the best Cricut machine for shirts. This machine is our consideration due to its versatility. This machine can cut over 100 materials, from cardstock, vinyl, and iron-on to thick materials like leather. Its Smart cut technology lets you cut a wide range of materials precisely.
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Source: https://cricut-explore.com/5-best-cricut-machines-for-shirts-customization/
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